Food Security and Nutrition Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (FTA) Highlights of a Decade (2011–2021 Series)

Forests and trees make critical but often overlooked contributions to food systems. They provide a diversity of nutritious foods, ecosystem services that support agriculture and livestock, and income that can be used to purchase food. Evidence shows that greater tree cover is associated with greater dietary diversity. Wild and planted trees provide important fruits, nuts, leaves, mushrooms, tubers, and seeds; and forests are key habitats for wildlife and sustain healthy rivers providing fish, both of which also are important for diets. Trees are also an important source of fodder for livestock. Forests and trees provide resilience and stability in the face of climate change and economic shocks. This chapter summarizes some of the scientific findings that the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research’s, (CGIAR), Research Program on Forest, Trees and Agroforestry (FTA) and partners have generated over the last decade on the contributions of forests and trees to food security and nutrition. This evidence has been critical in informing global strategies and discourses on food security and nutrition and on sustainable food systems. This chapter also provides examples of FTA’s forest- and tree-based solutions, explaining how their on-the-ground implementation supports better nutrition. FTA’s work on food and nutrition provides evidence that shows that “polycultural” landscapes can support healthy diets, sustainable food systems, and broader planetary health.

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-54270-1_3

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